Second jury deadlocks on Aiyana wrongful killing

Another jury failed to reach a verdict in the case against Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley, who was charged in the fatal shooting on 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones.

Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway declared the mistrial after the jury reported they could not reach a unanimous verdict on a misdemeanor charge against Weekley for careless or reckless firing of a weapon causing death. The charge was punishable by up to two years in prison. A second, more serious, charge of involuntary manslaughter had been thrown out against Weekley.

The mistrial means prosecutors can refile charges against Weekley and try him for a third time. Prosecutors could also decline to retry the case, or reach some sort of plea deal with Weekley to bring the case to an end.

A statement from the Wayne County prosecutor’s office said it will place its decision on the record during a court hearing scheduled for Nov. 21, 2014.